Visit To Vista & Excitement In Escondido!
What an amazing experience we're having at the shelters here in San Diego county! We have been so busy having fun that we haven't posted here for a couple of days. Apologies to all you loyal blog watchers out there!
On Tuesday, we had an incredible day at Solutions For Change in Vista, CA, a very innovative family homeless shelter. We were warmly welcomed by everyone we met there; the residents were all very friendly. We parked our RV on the plaza between the beautiful, Southwestern style buildings that graced the spotless grounds where we were literally the focus of the community.
After a slow start and some technical difficulties with our studio, we recorded and filmed a couple of performers on piano and guitar. Later, we filmed two amazing art workshops - one for the parents and one for the kids. Deb Ogburn and her associates lead both workshops. The adults created some wonderful portrait drawings using special "blind" technique and beautiful oil-based colors. Then everyone engaged in a great group discussion about their work. The kids had a blast too; they worked in the crayon medium and made two drawings each - one for us and one to take home.
Our first night in the RV was pretty amazing too and certainly unique in our experience. Sleeping in the RV in the midst of this amazing community was just plain inspiring and FUN! We have never slept in an RV and barely figured out how turn the lights off and on. What an adventure!
Tuesday night we packed up and headed to our next stop, the N. County Interfaith Community Council shelter in Escondido. We rolled into the parking lot around 9PM and glided into our specially designated spot right next to our water and electric hook-up's. Larry, the property manager, was a huge help and attended to our every need. We had total access to the facilities all night and even took a hot shower. (Yes, the RV has a shower, but as RV neophytes we have yet to figure out how to use it; and the holding tank aspect is especially intimidating.)
Today was the most incredible day of the tour so far; it was just exceptional from start to finish. Amazing musicians performed their music and we captured it all on audio and video. Their songs were moving beyond words and everyone crowded around the glass window in the conference room that served as our studio to catch a glimpse or a note. Bobby, who spent 15 homeless years in San Diego, came all the way from Mississippi just participate in this project and "give back" as he puts it. He was simply incredible. Another amazing singer/songwriter, Kimberly, inspired everyone with her music; no one had a dry eye when she finished. Her 25 years on the street gave her a powerful voice for the homeless and an unstoppable spirit. We even recorded the uniquely talented Sergio, the leaf player (yes, a real leaf off a real tree, it was still green).
Deb's art workshops were just as amazing as the music. The participants were inspired and produced some wonderful portraits using Deb's special techniques. We wish we had pictures of the drawings to post here. We will have them soon, Deb is taking shots of each one. We captured some amazing footage and incredible interactions that came up during the workshop. Each participant explained the meaning of their creation to the group and inspiration flowed freely through the room. We can't wait to show the video of this segment because that is only way we can possibly convey the experience of being there with these great people! (Attached is a picture of Bill, a homeless veteran who set up his own art show during the workshop and contributed several of his works to our project.)
Gayle has provided wonderful support for us and everyone at the facility. Her hospitality experience has been invaluable and has engendered warmth and compassion with everyone she meets. Crystal has been simply amazing; her unique combination of technical and communication skill has elicited great performances from all the musicians. Her video skills run the gamut: director, camera person, gaffer, etc., etc., she does it all.
A reporter from the local free paper came to the facility to cover another story and instead spent most of his time with us covering the Hearts Of Fire project. He interviewed all us and several performers and participants, and took lots of photos. We really made difference here - a group from a bank foundation touring the facility was unexpectedly moved by what they saw us doing and immediately made a large donation to the Interfaith Council.
We are spending another quiet night in the parking lot at N. County Interfaith Community Council. We love being at each place and hate to leave and the feeling is mutual. All the staff here have been wonderful and Suzanne Pohlman, the Executive Director made us feel so at home. Thank you!
Tomorrow morning, we leave for an early start at Father Joe's Village in downtown San Diego. We expect a large turn out for the art workshops and Deb has been working overtime preparing for the sessions.
On Tuesday, we had an incredible day at Solutions For Change in Vista, CA, a very innovative family homeless shelter. We were warmly welcomed by everyone we met there; the residents were all very friendly. We parked our RV on the plaza between the beautiful, Southwestern style buildings that graced the spotless grounds where we were literally the focus of the community.
After a slow start and some technical difficulties with our studio, we recorded and filmed a couple of performers on piano and guitar. Later, we filmed two amazing art workshops - one for the parents and one for the kids. Deb Ogburn and her associates lead both workshops. The adults created some wonderful portrait drawings using special "blind" technique and beautiful oil-based colors. Then everyone engaged in a great group discussion about their work. The kids had a blast too; they worked in the crayon medium and made two drawings each - one for us and one to take home.
Our first night in the RV was pretty amazing too and certainly unique in our experience. Sleeping in the RV in the midst of this amazing community was just plain inspiring and FUN! We have never slept in an RV and barely figured out how turn the lights off and on. What an adventure!
Tuesday night we packed up and headed to our next stop, the N. County Interfaith Community Council shelter in Escondido. We rolled into the parking lot around 9PM and glided into our specially designated spot right next to our water and electric hook-up's. Larry, the property manager, was a huge help and attended to our every need. We had total access to the facilities all night and even took a hot shower. (Yes, the RV has a shower, but as RV neophytes we have yet to figure out how to use it; and the holding tank aspect is especially intimidating.)
Today was the most incredible day of the tour so far; it was just exceptional from start to finish. Amazing musicians performed their music and we captured it all on audio and video. Their songs were moving beyond words and everyone crowded around the glass window in the conference room that served as our studio to catch a glimpse or a note. Bobby, who spent 15 homeless years in San Diego, came all the way from Mississippi just participate in this project and "give back" as he puts it. He was simply incredible. Another amazing singer/songwriter, Kimberly, inspired everyone with her music; no one had a dry eye when she finished. Her 25 years on the street gave her a powerful voice for the homeless and an unstoppable spirit. We even recorded the uniquely talented Sergio, the leaf player (yes, a real leaf off a real tree, it was still green).
Deb's art workshops were just as amazing as the music. The participants were inspired and produced some wonderful portraits using Deb's special techniques. We wish we had pictures of the drawings to post here. We will have them soon, Deb is taking shots of each one. We captured some amazing footage and incredible interactions that came up during the workshop. Each participant explained the meaning of their creation to the group and inspiration flowed freely through the room. We can't wait to show the video of this segment because that is only way we can possibly convey the experience of being there with these great people! (Attached is a picture of Bill, a homeless veteran who set up his own art show during the workshop and contributed several of his works to our project.)
Gayle has provided wonderful support for us and everyone at the facility. Her hospitality experience has been invaluable and has engendered warmth and compassion with everyone she meets. Crystal has been simply amazing; her unique combination of technical and communication skill has elicited great performances from all the musicians. Her video skills run the gamut: director, camera person, gaffer, etc., etc., she does it all.
A reporter from the local free paper came to the facility to cover another story and instead spent most of his time with us covering the Hearts Of Fire project. He interviewed all us and several performers and participants, and took lots of photos. We really made difference here - a group from a bank foundation touring the facility was unexpectedly moved by what they saw us doing and immediately made a large donation to the Interfaith Council.
We are spending another quiet night in the parking lot at N. County Interfaith Community Council. We love being at each place and hate to leave and the feeling is mutual. All the staff here have been wonderful and Suzanne Pohlman, the Executive Director made us feel so at home. Thank you!
Tomorrow morning, we leave for an early start at Father Joe's Village in downtown San Diego. We expect a large turn out for the art workshops and Deb has been working overtime preparing for the sessions.
posted by Executive Director | 7:16 PM
1 Comments:
That is a beautiful story and testimony! Thank you for sharing. My name is Launi Platt, Kimberly's daughter. You know that one that sang? I live up in Northern Cali. My mom is pretty incredible isn't she? Hey if you are ever in Nor Cal. I am connected with our local homeless church. My email is looney4him@sbcglobal.net
Keep on keepin on and may God pour out his grace and favor over you and everywhere you go!
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